Now that the holiday season has passed, many of us are trying to make up for the exercise we missed and the extra calories we consumed during this year’s holiday celebrations. But thanks to the “Maintain, Don’t Gain” holiday weight maintenance program, some of our faculty and staff are a step ahead of the game.

Of the 135 participants who completed the “Maintain, Don’t Gain” program this year, a record 93% of participants either maintained or lost weight during the holiday season!

Participants were weighed before Thanksgiving and after New Year’s, and aimed to keep their weight within 2-3 pounds of their starting weight. Weekly motivational e-mails and incentive gifts helped keep participants focused and encouraged. In yet another record-breaking result, 65% of participants actually lost weight, with some individuals losing as much as 10 pounds!

The new team competition also proved successful in its first year, with 101 participants forming 20 teams for a total weight loss of over 143 pounds. For a more detailed look at this year’s teams and prize winners, visit www.hr.upenn.edu/Quality/Wellness/MaintainDontGain.aspx.